Experience Rottnest Island

Fishing Guide

Rottnest Island, Western Australias very own Island getaway is a popular family holiday destination and a fantastic place to wet a line. Fishing is a favourite pastime for many visitors to Rottnest Island with opportunities for anglers of any skill level or experience. Shore based angling offers exciting shing opportunities. Alternatively, if you have a boat you can head offshore to sh from the deepwater reefs surrounding the Island.

Marine Sanctuary Zones

The new Rottnest Island Marine Management Strategy (RIMMS) came into effect in July 2007. As part of this strategy, 2 previous sanctuary zone areas were expanded and 3 additional sanctuary zones created. The sanctuary zones are aimed at protecting representative samples of entire marine habitats at various Island locations. Their task is to protect functioning ecosystems for tourism, recreational activities, research and education. These habitats support a diverse array of marine plants and animals including seagrasses, algae, corals, molluscs, echinoderms, sponges and shes. A full map of Rottnest Island and the corresponding inserts of the Marine Sanctuary Zone areas are overleaf. The GPS points on the inserts are for the outermost seaward and shoreward points. Signs are in place on shore to assist shore anglers and in-water signs are placed seasonally at the off shore sanctuary zone boundaries.

1. West End Demersal Sanctuary Zone

This sanctuary zone area encompasses the coastal waters from Radar Reef, Cape Vlamingh and Cathedral Rocks and is designed to protect the bottom dwelling or demersal marine species. Shore-based shing by means of a rod and line or hand-line is permitted along the platform locally known as Radar Reef in this sanctuary zone. Trolling

from vessels is permitted targeting pelagic species of sh. Taking of marine ora and fauna by all other means is prohibited. See map 1 for GPS points.

2. Kingston Reef Sanctuary Zone

This sanctuary zone is located off-shore in Thomson Bay. The area has been expanded on the southwestern boundary to incorporate more of the reef environment. Taking of any marine ora or fauna by any means is prohibited. See map 2 for GPS points.

3. Armstrong Bay Sanctuary Zone

This sanctuary zone area encompasses the coastal waters from the eastern end of Catherine Bay to Parakeet Island. Shore-based shing is permitted by means of a rod and line or line held in the hand in certain areas which are sign posted. Taking of any marine ora and fauna by all other means is prohibited. See map 3 for GPS points.

4. Green Island Sanctuary Zone

This sanctuary zone is located between Kitson Point and the eastern point of Strickland Bay. Shore-based shing by means of a rod and line or line held in the hand is permitted from the Green Island Jetty in this sanctuary zone area. Taking of marine ora and fauna by all other means is prohibited. See map 4 for GPS points.

5. Parker Point Sanctuary Zone

This sanctuary zone is located at Parker Point. The area has been expanded to include part of Salmon Bay. Taking of any marine ora or fauna by any means is prohibited. See map 5 for GPS points. Fishing is prohibited in the following areas during daylight hours - the swimming areas of Little Parakeet Bay, The Basin and all other no-boating areas of Rottnest Island. For more information on no-boating areas, please refer to the Rottnest Island Marine and Boating Guide (available from the Visitor Centre or at www.rottnestisland.com).

Key Fishing Rules

1. Recreational shing is subject to size and possession limits, gear restrictions, seasonal closure and licensing by the Department of Fisheries WA. There are various sh species that are protected in the waters around Rottnest Island. For more information please refer to the Department of Fisheries WA Recreational Fishing Guide - West Coast Region (available from the Visitor Centre or Rottnest Island Dive and Snorkel). Alternatively, visit www.sh.wa.gov.au 2. Spear shing is prohibited within some areas of the Rottnest Island Marine Reserve. Refer to map overleaf. Spear guns or gidgees carried aboard vessels must be dismantled and stowed safely on the vessel. Spear guns and gidgees are NOT permitted on Rottnest Island. 3. Rottnest Island Rangers and Fisheries WA ofcers regularly patrol the waters of Rottnest Island to ensure compliance. Shore-based Fisheries WA ofcers also monitor recreational shing activities. Substantial penalties apply for failure to adhere to these rules and regulations.

Coastal Hazards
The coastal area is fragile. Beware of unstable rock slopes, cliffs and overhangs. Stay well back from cliff edges and do not enter caves or walk under overhangs. Please exercise caution in natural environments.

Fishing From Shore

The numerous rock platforms, headlands and beautiful beaches of Rottnest Island offer excellent year-round shing opportunities for every angler - from the novice to the experienced. One of the great advantages of shing on an island is that you can always nd a shoreline sheltered from the wind. On Rottnest Island, many shing spots are only a short bike ride from Thomson Bay and Geordie Bay. Jetties in these bays also offer good shing opportunities. For the more adventurous, take a bike ride out to Radar Reef or Ricey Beach and try your luck at catching some target sh species. The most common sh caught from shore is herring but there are plenty of other table sh on offer. Often a mixed bag can include skippy, tailor, tarwhine (silver bream), gardies and even the odd athead or ounder off the bottom. Western Australian salmon can be caught in large numbers during April and May. For the more experienced angler, mulloway and yellowtail king sh offer a challenge all year round. The popular King George whiting as well as its smaller cousins the yellownned and sand whiting are often found in protected sand patches.

Boat Fishing
Boat shing around Rottnest Island can be very rewarding; Some of Western Australias best known species of sh including dhush, breaksea cod, pink snapper, sampson sh, and baldchin grouper inhabit the rocky reef areas. These reef sh are most often found in the moderately deep waters surrounding Rottnest Island. During spring and summer, however, some individuals move into shallower waters and are occasionally caught from shore. Just a few kilometres off the West End of Rottnest Island, the continental shelf drops away rapidly to great depths and it is in this area that apex predators can be found. Offshore anglers target pelagic species such as billsh and various species of shark. Various amateur shing clubs have installed a series of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in this area. These devices are very successful at attracting world class sport sh such as; yellowtail kingsh, dolphin sh (mahi-mahi) and mackerel. For more information about boating around Rottnest Island, please refer to the Rottnest Island Marine and Boating Guide (available from the Visitor Centre or www.rottnestisland.com).

Sustainable Fishing Practices

1. Always remember to take your rubbish and discarded shing tackle home with you. Hooks, line, bait bags and other rubbish can endanger wildlife and other visitors. 2. Take only what you need and adhere to all daily bag and size limits. 3. Return all undersize and unwanted sh to the water quickly and carefully. 4. If you intend to keep a sh, ensure to remove the hook quickly and kill it humanely. 5. Report any suspected illegal shing incidents to the Rottnest Island Rangers on: 0419 951 635 or Fish Watch: 1800 815 507 6. Catch and release practices that use sh-friendly techniques assist in maintaining healthy sh populations. Using these techniques allows recreational shing to be enjoyed by visitors whilst ensuring minimal harm to the sh. This will help the sh to survive the experience and safely return to the breeding stock (for more information, please refer to the Catch Care guide, available at the Visitor Centre). 7. When cleaning your catch, ensure all waste (scales, guts, frame) is wrapped in paper and disposed of responsibly. Please refrain from throwing sh waste into the ocean, particularly in popular swimming and boating areas.

Fishing Supplies and Further Information

Fishing tackle can be purchased from Rottnest Island Dive and Snorkel, Rottnest General Store and Geordie Bay Store. All three outlets stock a range of tackle for shing around Rottnest Island. Pre-made rigs are also available for all target species. Rottnest Island Dive and Snorkel has shing rods available for hire and the staff are very knowledgeable about the local shing spots. Staff at the Visitor Centre can provide information on shing, boating and marine activities, and directions of how to get to popular shing spots. Bikes can be hired from Rottnest Island Bike Hire. You can also catch the Bayseeker Bus to go shing but please be mindful of other passengers whilst carrying your shing rods. It is a good idea to take plenty of drinking water with you, check the local weather forecast (www.bom.gov.au or www.rottnestisland.com) and always let someone know where you are going. Enjoy your shing experience within the Rottnest Island Marine Reserve.

3 MAP 1 2

Rottnest Island

MAP 2

MAP 3

MAP 4

MAP 5